VMware Shares Plunged: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: As with so many other businesses known for handling digital data, shares of VMware (NYS: VMW) fell nearly 13% in early trading before closing down a little more than 10%.

So what: How EMC (NYS: EMC) chief executive Joe Tucci must be smiling. His company has been buying VMware shares all year long. Expect even more investments as the stock falls for reasons disconnected from the underlying strength of the business.

Now what: If anything, VMware is making itself stronger by partnering with Dell (NAS: DELL) and Ubuntu, among others, to boost its offerings for corporate customers and differentiate itself from Microsoft (NAS: MSFT) . Where do you stand on this stock? Would you use the selloff as a buying opportunity? Weigh in using the comments box below.